1997 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA weight

Three importmt considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
* and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg).
But
even that can be too heavy.
It depends
on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that
you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your retailer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write us at
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing, MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario LlH
8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry
in it, and the people who will be
riding
in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle”
in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
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A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see
if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around
in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit
for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Certification/Tire label
on the driver’s door edge, above
the door latch or see “Tire Loading”
in the Index. Then
be sure
you don’t go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight
of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules
to follow:
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 2,000 Ibs. (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and
sway control of the proper size. This equipment is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you relnove the hitch.
If you don’t seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get
into your vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide”
in the
Index). Dirt and water can, too.
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Driving with a Trailer
mmm
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system
on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See
“ Comfort
Controls”
in the Index.) Towing
a trailer requires a certain amount
of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
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GloveBox .................................... 2-35
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-42
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-42
GVWR
....................................... 4-42
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-30
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlarnps .................................... 2-31
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-30
Highkow Beam Changer
...................... 2-26
On Reminder
................................ 2-32
Wiring
..................................... 6-54
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-3
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-36
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-47
Horn ......................................... 2-24
Hydroplaning
................................ 4-32
Hood
.......................................... 6-6
Ignition
Positions .............................. 2- I 2
Inflation. Tire
............................. 6-37. 7-39
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
................. 2-34
Inspections Brake System
.................... ......... 7-44 Drive Axle
.................................. 7-44
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension
.................................. 7-43
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-44
Transfer Case
................................ 7-44
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-48
Cleaning .................................... 6-47
Cluster
..................................... 2-50
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-55
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-33
Jacking Equipment
............................. 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Keyless Entry System
........................... 2-6
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification/Tire
............................. 4-42
Fuse ....................................... 6-56
Safety Belt
.................................. 1-45
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-53
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-53
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Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4- 48
Driving on Grades ............................ 4-5 1
Driving with a Trailer .......................... 4-49
Hitches
..................................... 4-47
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-52
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-5 1
Safety Chains ................................ 4-48
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-47
Turn Signals
................................. 4-50
Weight
..................................... 4-4 6
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-53
Transfer Case .................................. 6- I8
Transmission Fluid
.............................. 6- I4
Transmission. Shifting ........................... 2- 15
Transmitters, Keyless Entry ........................ 2-6
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Tongueweight
............................... 4-46
Towing
..................................... 4-44
Trip Computer
................................... 2-38
Odometer
................................... 2-51
TTYUsers ..................................... 8-4
Turn Signals When Towing
a Trailer ................ 4-50
Trip, Before Leaving ............................ 4-35
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.................... 2-26 underbody
Maintenance
................... 6-5 I! 7-42
Underhoocl Lamp Bulb Replacement
................ 6-32
Erasing Channels
............................. 2-47
Operation
................................... 2-46
Programming
................................ 2-45
Rolling Codes
................................ 2-47
US/MET
Button ................................ 2-37
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-44
vanity Mirror Lamp Bulb Replacement
............ 6-33
Vehicle
Control
...................................... 4-6
Damage Warnings .............................. iv
Dimensions ................................. 6-61
Identification Number
......................... 4-53
Loading .................................... 4-42
Storage
..................................... 6-29
Ventilation System
............................... 3-4
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-42
Voltmeter
..................................... 2-54
warning Devices
............................... 5-3
Warning Lights
. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-52
Washer Fluid . Windshield ........................ 6-24
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-48
9-10
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NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 200 lbs.
(91 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle.
When you carry cargo
on the luggage carrier of
a proper size and weight, put it on the slats, as far
forward as you can. Then slide the crossrail up
against the rear
of the load, to help keep it from
moving.
You can then tie it down.
2
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see “Loading Your Vehicle”
in
the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier
is locked and cargo is still securely fastened.
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